County Leaders Gather Public Input

Members of Meade County Fiscal Court met during a work session to discuss recently proposed nuisance and abandoned property ordinances. About 50 people came to the Meade County Courthouse, to give their thoughts to Fiscal Court.

About 20 people spoke in favor or against the ordinances. The common out cry from of those who spoke was they were not in favor of the any governing body infringing upon their rights. Members of Fiscal Court along with Judge Executive Gerry Lynn expressed that county leaders are not attempting look to hurt people by enacting the ordinances but to have a legal mechanism in place to assist and follow when complaints are received about unsafe properties. The nearly two hour dialog contained the views from residents asking for a ordinance to address the current issues before they get worse and cost prohibitive to resolve. The other side of the conversation argued that such ordinances would allow county government to “dictate” what residents could do or not do on their private property.

County leaders are seeking constructive input from the county property owners to learn what is needed in the county. Currently at least 150 properties have had a formal complaint placed to the county Planning and Zoning Office. The issue is complex for leaders to craft a ordinance to outline policy that includes consideration of occupant health, safety and financial situations among other unique factors. The work session sparked conversation but only drew one solid example of how the evening was intended to be. The majority of those who spoke was either for or against the proposal, however one individual offered examples of sections of the ordinances that he had issues with and explained why.

After everything that was said, Fiscal Court still is seeking additional input on the issue and is not planning to take a swift action to pass something in a hurry. Magistrates intent to review the comments from Wednesday (1/27) and work through the ordinance to simplify and clear up confusion which has been surrounded the ongoing issue.

The court has already conducted the first reading of the proposed nuisance and abandoned property ordinances a couple of months ago and continue to work through necessary changes to before the advertisement of the second reading is considered.

Before the work session, Fiscal Court conducted a special called meeting which featured the opening of bids for a new oil truck for the County Road Department. Three bids were received and after a brief conversation, the court voted to approve a bid of $172,150 for a Kenworth truck from Brandeis Manufacturing.

The next meeting of Meade County Fiscal Court is expected to be during their regular monthly meeting on February 9 at 7 pm.